Top 10 MP3 Player Hacks
People love their MP3 players, but sometimes the standard functions aren’t enough. That’s when the inventors, modders and hackers step up and make their device even more useful. The following list compiles the greatest MP3 player hacks ever conceived.
10. Bulletproof iPod
After his first iPod was crushed, this modder decided that he had had enough of the MP3 player’s fragile design. Taking sheets of aluminum 5mm thick, the ‘Bulletproof iPod’ was invented. While not tested, it is speculated that a 0.22 bullet couldn’t even hurt this iPod now.
9. DIY Line-In Connection
This modder had a generic flash based MP3 player with voice recording capability. What he wanted, however, was a quick and easy way to make podcasts. Adding a line-in cable is great, not only for podcasting, but also for ripping songs off a CD without even needing a computer.
8. Linux Laptop Car MP3 Player
“Using debian on a powerbook g3 233mhz (lombard), a kensington auto/ac/air adapter and crystalfontz lcd screen with usb->serial adapter you can have a pretty slick (and inexpensive) in car mp3 player for your car. Add a wifi card and manage all the music when you pull in to the driveway.”
7. iPod Shuffle Altoids Case
Instead of hiding your mp3 players inside other objects, why not hide other objects inside your MP3 player. If you have a busted iPod Shuffle laying around, why not use it as a fantastically cool candy dispenser. Better yet, why not take it one step further and make an iPod Pez dispenser.
link – Instructables
6. Retro Radio MP3 Player
Wanting to add some functionality to his retro cool antique radio, Chris rigged it up (tubes and all) to his 21st century MP3 playing sound system. Check the oodles of Flickr photos for the make.
5. iPod Megaphone
Ever wanted to blare your MP3′s at insane volumes from your helmet? What am I saying…of course you have!
“Here I show how you can very simply modify a megaphone to accept 1/8″ line input from an iPod, and mount the megaphone on top of a motorcycle helmet. The resulting “Mega Helmet” delivers the maximal aural stupidity allowed by law.”
4. iPod Gaming
One of the original iPod hacks just got a little more fun. Once the stylish player hit the market, hackers scrambled to load up the iPod with the Linux operating system. Once that was achieved, the next most natural thing was to give the MP3 player an old-school video game emulator. These two sites document that process fairly well, even to the point of building your own Nano sized Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet. Brilliant!
link – iPodLinux.org
link – Nano Mame Cabinet
3. NES Controller MP3 Player
The ultimate icon of retro gaming, the NES controller, is currently being hacked into just about everything. One of the best such projects was Martin Kersch’s NES controller MP3 player.
“He even hacked the buttons on the controller to work with the mp3 player, “Start†is On/Play, and the directional pad functions as the song changer/volume control.”
2. iPod Universal Remote Control
This gem of a hack was performed by Make extraordinaire Phillip Torrone. In a moment of true inspiration he had the idea of controlling all of his houshold devices simply with a flick of his iPod. Using an IR receiver, he recorded the “sound” that normal remote controls make and turned them into songs. Then loading them up on his iPod, we was able to have a virtual command center all within one playlist. Check the site for the rather complicated how-to.
1. Minty MP3
Juxtaposing the Altoids-inside-the-MP3-player-hack (yes, I know this hack came first), the Minty MP3 player took a little more know-how. By designing a complete MP3 player from the hardware up and putting it inside the brilliantly sturdy Altoids tin, Ladyada clearly went above and beyond. This wasn’t a mere hack, but a great instructional project on how you can make your very own MP3 player – the hardware hacker way.